Improvement in signal-cartridges



E. VERY.

SIGNAL-CARTRIDGE.

No. 190,263. v Patented May1,,-1877.

NQPETzns, FHOTD-LITHOGRAPNER. wnsnmurom a. C.

UNITED STATES PAT NT QEEIQ EDWARD w. vERY, OF ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNAL-CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent bio-190,263, dated May 1,1-877; application filed February 14, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD W. VERY, of

Annapolis, Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement inPyrotechnicYSignal Cartridges, of which the following is a clear, full,and exact description, reference t'o be thrown into the air by means ofthe explosive force of a charge of common gunpowder; and it consists ofa percussion-capped signal cartridgeor shell, having a charge of powder,and being provided with two or more signal-balls directly ignited by theflame of the burning gunpowder, and showing their light from the timethey leavethe cartridgecase and pistol until they are entirely consumed.V

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe the exact manner in which I have. carried it out.'

In the drawings,-A represents .a common cartridge-case capped, andprovided with the charge of powder B. Upon this powder I place anordinary wad to keep it in place, and upon the wad one or more lumps ofsignal composition, 0 0, made of the required shape and density, and ofsuch materials as will cause it to burn with a flame of any desiredcolor. Above this charge an air-space, c, is left, and the mouth of thecase is covered with a light and suitable wad or cover to secure thesignal from damage or deterioration.

This signal can be thrown to a height of three hundred feet by means ofa pistol constructed for, the purpose.

In my system of signals I use but two colors, usually red and white;other colors may, however, be used without departing from the spirit ofmy invention. The balls, representing a digit of any numbered. code,

are thrown either simultaneously or in quick succession, so that theyare all seen at once,

the combination beingso arrangedthatno more than three balls are visibleat once. The combination is so arranged that odd numbers. aredistinguished from even ones in a manner distinct from the particulararrangement by which the integer is designated.

The'time of burning is eight .or more secends,- and the balls have abrilliancy sufficient to be distinguished at least three miles, they'clear all ordinary obstructions to vision. The

signal-cases may be loaded or unloaded at the will of the operator, inorder to make any desired change in color or force of discharge.

Signals may be examined thoroughly, taken apart and surveyed, and iffound good the same parts may be returned to place without loss, change,or damage to the signal.

The observer sees the whole combination forming a digit at once. Thearrangement of colors, groups, and combinations is entirely at the willof the operator. V

Having thus explained my invention, that which I claim as new, and whichI desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A percussion-capped signal cartridge or shell, having a charge ofgunpowder, and being provided with two or more signal-halls,directlyignited by the flame of the burning gunpowder, and showing theirlight from the time they leave the cartridge-case and pistol until. theyare entirely consumed, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ED WARD W. VERY. Witnesses G. H. EVANS, W. E. GUY.

